Guest Houses In Rural Japan?
 

I am curious if anyone has tried any guest houses, or any place that rents out rooms, outside of the big cities in Japan. I've seen websites that find places in Tokyo, Osaka, and some other larger cities. However, what I wonder is if anyone knows of any way to look for Guest Houses [or similar places] outside of Tokyo/Osaka, in more quieter, rural areas of Japan.

Thanks so much! :vsign:



Also, I wonder if anyone has tried Sakura House or Oak House in Tokyo, or Orange House in Osaka. Those are the groups I found that offer rooms to stay for a month while I'm in Japan.

In rural areas i always went to the small tourist office and asked for a cheap Minshuku. As there are not so many tourists you will usually not need any reservation and this places can be very cheap (3000-3500 without food for a private room and around 5000 with food). Its very enjoyable if you speak a bit Japanese but it is also possible withouth Japanese, but more difficult.
just make clear that you dont need a bed or your private Shower/toilet, othewise they will recommend only Hotels to you!
There is also a Japanese Ryokan association with wich you should be able to book in many places.

Kyto, Wakayama, Kyushu..

All great experiences in pensions(spelling)

I know very little about guest houses in rural Japan - I assume you mean long term accomodations when you say that - but my husband`s family runs a rather nice minshuku along the northern coast. So if you actually meant shorter term accomodations, anything you`d like to know about those I can help you.

"Minshuku" was a word I wanted:)

We would pick and choose all and any including hotels..

Great experiences can be had in these places, except one where the female owner decided to keep peeking at me whilst I was having a shower in the communal room!

So is a Minshuku the Japanese B&B/Guest House?

Pretty much the equivalent of one. I would personally call it an inn - and refer to ryokan as something closer to a traditional hotel.
According to my husband`s parents, back when their place was founded ryokan were where people with rank stayed and minshuku were where normal people stayed when on trips. Nowadays the line is really blurred between them - I`ve stayed in places calling themselves ryokan that were horrible compared to some places calling themselves minshuku.

In general though, minshuku are smaller and cheaper than ryokan.

I'm looking for a semi-long semi-short place to stay. I'll be there for about a month. :ywave:

What area are you looking at? can you narrow it down a little?

Most of my vacation will probably be in southern Japan. As for location other than that, so long as I have access to buses and/or trains, I am not too picky about the actual location. :D